Abstracts – Browse Results
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Acar, E, Wall, J, McNamee, F, Carney, M and Öney-Yazici, E (2008) Innovative safety management training through e-learning. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 4(03), 239–50.
Bishop, J, Bouchlaghem, D, Glass, J and Matsumoto, I (2008) Identifying and mplementing management best practice for communities of practice. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 4(03), 160–75.
- Type: Journal Article
- Keywords: communities of practice; knowledge management; task groups; organizations
- ISBN/ISSN: 1745-2007
- URL: http://earthscan.publisher.ingentaconnect.com/content/earthscan/aedm/2008/00000004/F0020003/art00002
- Abstract:
Communities of practice (CoPs) have generated an increasing amount of interest in recent years, both within knowledge management (KM) literature and the construction industry. However, there is an ongoing debate as to the most appropriate way to provide organizational support for CoPs and whether they can be managed effectively for increased organizational benefit. The aim of the research presented in this paper was to identify CoP management best practice and to implement the findings within a sponsoring organization. A key objective was to examine actual CoP management practices rather than managerial intentions - an area of research that, at present, is lacking within KM literature. A review of KM and CoP literature was combined with semi-structured interviews with experts from seven case study organizations, both within the construction industry and external to it. A number of best practices were implemented within a sponsoring organization including providing `strategic guidance' rather than direct management, establishing senior-level sponsors and/or steering groups, ensuring clarity and alignment of CoP objectives, ensuring effective selection of CoP leaders, securing dedicated CoP resources, integrating CoPs with existing business processes, supporting face-to-face collaboration, and non-obtrusive monitoring of CoP performance. Although a number of key conclusions were established, further research will be necessary to determine the long-term impact of CoP management practices.
De Blois, M and De Coninck, P (2008) The dynamics of actors' and stakeholders' participation: an approach of management by design. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 4(03), 176–88.
Elmualim, A A and Govender, K (2008) Communities of practice in UK large contracting firms: contrasting application and non-utilized merits. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 4(03), 149–59.
Lou, E C W and Goulding, J S (2008) Building and construction classification systems. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 4(03), 206–20.
Low, S P and Chia, W H (2008) Middle management's influence on the effectiveness of ISO 9000 quality management systems in architectural firms. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 4(03).
Zou, P X W, Redman, S and Windon, S (2008) Case studies on risk and opportunity at design stage of building projects in Australia: focus on safety. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 4(03), 221–38.